US Open 2024: Jannik Sinner Fired Two Members Of His Staff Over His Positive Steroid Tests In March

Jannik Sinner fired his fitness trainer and physiotherapist because of his two positive steroid tests in March and said Friday at his pre-U.S. Open news conference 바카라� his first public comments on the matter 바카라� that he knew he was innocent but worried what the case바카라�s outcome would be until finding out he wouldn바카라�t be suspended. (Full Coverage | )

Sinner바카라�s fitness trainer, Umberto Ferrara, and his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, have been at the 23-year-old Italian바카라�s side during his rise over the past two years, which included his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and ascension to the No. 1 ranking in June.

바카라�I바카라�m not feeling that confident to continue with them,바카라� Sinner said. 바카라�Now I just need some clean air.바카라�

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced this week that Sinner failed two drug tests 바카라� one during a tournament in Indian Wells, California, and one eight days later 바카라� but that it was determined the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol entered his system unintentionally through a massage from Naldi.

바카라�Obviously it has been a very tough moment for me and my team,바카라� Sinner said. 바카라�It still is, because it바카라�s quite fresh.바카라�

Play begins Monday at Flushing Meadows. Sinner is the top-seeded man and is scheduled to meet first-round opponent Mackie McDonald, an American ranked 140th, on Tuesday.

바카라�Of course it바카라�s not ideal before a Grand Slam,바카라� Sinner said with a chuckle about the timing of the news. 바카라�But in my mind, I know that I haven바카라�t done anything wrong. I had to play, already, (for) months with this in my head, but just (was reminding) myself that I haven바카라�t done really anything wrong. I always respect these rules 바카라� and I always will respect these rules 바카라� of anti-doping.바카라�

He is considered one of the leaders of the next group of male tennis stars who will succeed the Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Sinner is 48-5 with a tour-leading five titles in 2024 and tuned up for the U.S. Open by winning the hard-court Cincinnati Open on Monday.

바카라�He바카라�s an incredible player, and, you know, (governing) bodies made a decision. They went and did that; he바카라�s cleared to play. That바카라�s pretty much what I have to say about it,바카라� said Frances Tiafoe, the American who lost to Sinner in the final at Cincinnati. 바카라�All the best to him in the U.S. Open.바카라�

Sinner바카라�s defense was that Ferrara purchased an over-the-counter spray that contained Clostebol in Italy, then gave it to Naldi, who used it on a cut finger. Sinner said Naldi then gave him a massage.

The investigation found that Sinner had a trace amount of the steroid in his system, a point he illustrated Friday by using eight fingers to count out the number of zeroes before the 바카라�1바카라� in the amount: .000000001"

Asked whether he thinks the episode will affect his reputation, Sinner said: 바카라�We will see now 바카라� now, moving forward. Because this, I can바카라�t really control.바카라�

He also called the outcome 바카라�a relief.바카라�

바카라�Of course I was worried,바카라� Sinner said, 바카라�because it was the first time for me 바카라� and hopefully the last time that I am in this situation, position.바카라�